Middlebury Magazine » Politics

Professor Pundits: VICTORY…for Political Scientists

Stephen Diehl — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:37:58 +0000

It’s all about the data. Wrapping up their year-long series of commentaries about the presidential election, Middlebury’s Professor Pundits Matt Dickinson and Bert Johnson note that scientific forecasting models really do work to predict election results. Hear what the pundits have to say in their final commentary on the 2012 election.

Previous Professor Pundit commentaries

Professor Pundits: The Expectations Game

Stephen Diehl — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:07:10 +0000

We’re almost to election day. What could happen in the last few days to significantly change the trajectory of the race? Well, historically, not much. But then again, the unexpected doesn’t usually give much notice. Middlebury “Professor Pundits” Bert Johnson and Matt Dickinson fill us in on expectations, the electoral college, and what to look for on election night in their final pre-election installment.

Matt and Bert will host an election-night gathering at the Grille in McCullough Student Center. Please join them if you’re in town, or follow their live-blogging and tweets. On Twitter, Matt is @Mattdickinson44 and Bert is @bnjohns.

Previous Professor Pundit commentaries

Professor Pundits: Who’s Ahead? It’s Debatable.

Stephen Diehl — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:29:56 +0000

After weeks of build up, the first of three presidential debates is behind us. Who won? Both sides seem to think Mitt Romney clinched the debate. Will that give his campaign a boost? And why is it that the polls have showed Obama steadily inching ahead of Romney, yet political scientists consider the race a dead heat? Professor Pundits Matt Dickinson and Bert Johnson talk debates, ad strategy, and many other factors that will impact the election in these final weeks. If you have questions about the presidential campaign for the pundits, email them to pundits@middlebury.edu.

Previous Professor Pundits commentaries

Professor Pundits: What Do You Get for $400 Million?

Stephen Diehl — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:56:53 +0000

In their latest video commentary, Middlebury political science professors Matt Dickinson and Bert Johnson look at the Obama campaign’s early massive spending spree — $400 million to date — mostly in battleground states. But despite the big spending, polls show a statistical dead heat between the two candidates. The pundits discuss this and more in their newest chat. And, as always, if you have a question about this presidential campaign for Bert Johnson or Matt Dickinson, please leave a comment below or email: pundits@middlebury.edu.

Previous Professor Pundits commentaries.

Professor Pundits: Is Newt Shaking Up Political Science Wisdom?

Stephen Diehl — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:15:41 +0000

Does Newt Gingrich’s convincing win in the South Carolina Republican primary upend some long-held ideas about what’s required to win? Our pundits, professors Matt Dickinson and Bert Johnson, take up this question and other election topics in our latest edition.

Earlier installments:
Super PACs and South Carolina
Who’s Got Iowa Momentum (And Does It Really Matter?)
Gaffes, Grievances, and Godfather’s
The Professor Pundits

Professor Pundits: Super PACs and South Carolina

Stephen Diehl — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:33:59 +0000

Professor Pundits is our periodic update on the 2012 presidential campaign with political science professors Matt Dickinson and Bert Johnson. In this edition: Bert was in both Iowa and New Hampshire and compares the style and substance of each of the leading candidates he saw. Bert recently offered in-depth observations of Iowa as a guest blogger in Matt’s “Presidential Power” blog. Matt looks ahead to South Carolina and the challenges the candidates face in that state. And both pundits discuss the major role Super PACs have played so far in the primary.

Earlier installments:
Who’s Got Iowa Momentum (And Does It Really Matter?)
Gaffes, Grievances, and Godfather’s
The Professor Pundits

Professor Pundits: Who’s Got Iowa Momentum? (And Does it Really Matter?)

Stephen Diehl — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:44:28 +0000

The Republican primary race has shifted momentum so many times, it’s hard to catch your breath. Since we last checked in with our pundits, profs Matt Dickinson and Bert Johnson, the primary campaign has been quite eventful, including Herman Cain’s exit and Newt Gingrich shooting to the top of the polls. Does the idea of momentum actually make a difference? Our pundits took up this question, but they don’t agree on the answer. Hear what they have to say:

Earlier installments:
Gaffes, Grievances, and Godfather’s
The Professor Pundits